Sheryl Crow sings on stage with Michael Jackson during his Bad tour at Wembley Stadium in July 1988. Picture: Pete Still/Redferns

"It's like a death in the family, you know? It's sad," Crow continued. "(James Safechuck) was a great kid and the whole time he was with us - which was the better half of an 18-month tour - I always wondered: 'What in the world are his parents doing?'

"I think that there were a lot of exceptions made because of the damage that (Jackson) … I mean, he didn't intentionally project it, but it was part of his aura - this almost being untouchable and almost alien-like (figure). And, yeah, I mean, I'm sad, and I'm mad at a lot of people. I feel like there was just a huge network of people that allowed all that to go on. It's just tragic."

Jackson and a young James Safechuck.

Safechuck in Leaving Neverland. Picture: HBO

Though Crow duetted with Jackson every night of the tour on I Just Can't Stop Loving You, she describes Jackson as isolated and removed.

"I think he actually did not know my name for quite a long while," she stated.

He "never" contacted her after she established herself as a solo star in the '90s: "I saw him at the Grammys and I don't think he ever put together (who I was)."

Crow went from Jackson backing singer to star in her own right. Picture: Supplied.

Making things even more strange, staff reported Safechuck, who was staying next to Jackson, remained in his room the whole time the singer was out performing with a "do not disturb" sign hanging on the doorknob and sheeting on the windows to block the view in.

Growing concerned, Smyth and the other journalist decided to send a letter to Safechuck's room.

Using hotel stationary, the pair wrote: "Dear Little Jimmy Safechuck, we are in the residents' lounge … and if you are being held against your will or if you need rescuing contact us."

Smyth said they gave the note to a hotel porter with instructions to take it to Safechuck's room, however they never heard from the boy.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission